Hernandez: Opens spring action
(c) Associated Press
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Don't get overconfident but the Astros are off to a 2-0 start this spring after 3-1 and 10-2 victories over the Nationals in a home-and-home sweep this weekend. Chris Johnson's two-run homer inaugurated the scoring on Saturday and the bats exploded with three home runs on Sunday.
The long balls included a solo blast from new catcher Chris Snyder off Steven Strasburg to get the scoring going for Houston on Sunday. Two outfield hopefuls with the same surname, J.D. Martinez and Fernando Martinez both belted three-run shots off Tom Gorzelanny to give the Astros a comfortable lead. Fernando Martinez, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets this winter, had the only multi-hit day in the eight-hit attack.
The pitchers generally failed to dominate but also kept the Nationals from putting together any scoring rallies. J.A. Happ and Lucas Harrell gave up the two Washington runs on Sunday while new closer Brett Myers allowed the only run on Saturday.
Livan Hernandez, no stranger to Washington batters, already had his form down - allowing four hits but no runs in two innings to get the spring slate going. Happ was the Sunday starter.
Jordan Lyles will take the rubber on Monday for his first spring appearance when the Astros face the Atlanta Braves Monday in Kissimmee. The first pitch should be at 1:05 p.m. Central time.
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